Are these Deodar Cedars? Which ones should go?

[ptforme]

Hi all,

I would like to confirm that these trees are Deodar Cedars and if so, I could use some advice. They were planted by the previous owner which makes me think they are max 20 years old. They are spaced about 10 feet apart with tree number 1 (counting left to right) being closest to the house. Here are my questions:

1) are these deodar cedars - regular variety not some sort of dwarf?

2) should I remove 2 or 3 trees to have proper spacing for long term health? If so I am torn between removing trees number 2 and 4 or removing trees number 1, 3 and 5 (which would eliminate the tree closest to the house).

3) can I limb them up a bit, say to 6-8 feet? Cutting grass is extremely difficult. I don’t want grass to grow up to the trunk obviously, but I think more space underneath is required for our yard, walkability, etc.

Thank you for any insights!

 

[kenmbz]

Deodar cedars are slow growers. It does look like they were planted too close together.
I would be surprised if grass grows under them with their root system.
I don't have the knowledge to figure out best way to deal with them, but their root systems are certainly entwined by now and they will keep growing a foot or so each year.

How close are the trees behind them?

 

[Raintree]

They look like deodar cedars to me. I wouldn't remove any of them. Elevating to 8ft would ruin the look of the hedge row and expose the neighbors. Tip back the lower limbs for mower clearance, keep the line intact.

 

[ptforme]

Thanks - I guess concerns are threefold: 1) will middle of trees die/be unhealthy if they grow into each other, 2) at some point in the future won’t some need to be removed (at greater cost than now while they are small)? and 3) will cutting back limb tips look good? We did that to the lowest branches last year. It disrupts the shape but also leaves branches that hurt much more to walk into (pic showing some cuts). Will those cuts look good higher up?

The pine trees behind this row are from 8 to 20 feet back, scattered.